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About Great Lakes Eye Care

Nearly four decades of caring for the way you see.

Since 1987, Great Lakes Eye Care has served Southwest Michigan and Northern Indiana with a simple conviction: every patient deserves excellent, compassionate care — and the time it takes to give it.

1987
Serving Our Community Since
12
Board-Certified Doctors
4
Locations Across The Region
180+
Dedicated Team Members

Our Story

Built here, for the people here.

In 1987, Dr. David Cooke and his wife, Jeannette, returned to Southwest Michigan and took over the practice of a retiring local physician. Dr. Cooke had grown up in Berrien Springs, trained at the University of Michigan, and completed his ophthalmology residency at Mayo Clinic — and he came home to build something lasting.

What began as a single office has grown into a regional eye care practice with eleven board-certified doctors, four locations, and our own dedicated eye surgery center. Along the way, the practice has become a place other physicians trust — receiving referrals from throughout the region, and welcoming patients who travel from across the country for their surgery.

What hasn't changed is the reason any of it exists. We're still a local practice, caring for neighbors, with doctors who live in the same communities as the patients they serve.

Meet Our Doctors
The Great Lakes Eye Care physician team

What Guides Us

Our mission, values, and philosophy

The principles that shape every decision we make — from the exam room to the operating suite.

Our Value

To emulate Christ's example of compassion, humility, and integrity in all relationships.

Our Mission

To preserve and restore eyesight in our community and throughout the world.

Operating Philosophy

To provide the highest quality of care to every patient, using the best available technology and ongoing education for our doctors and staff.

Why Patients Choose Us

Specialized care, close to home

Subspecialty expertise you'd expect from a major medical center — in the community where you live.

Our Own Surgery Center

Great Lakes Surgery Center is built and staffed specifically for eye surgery — so your procedure happens with the same team that knows your care, not at an unfamiliar hospital.

Nationally Recognized Surgeons

Our physicians publish research, teach, and lecture internationally — and other doctors across the region send us their own patients.

Time and Attention

Our patients always come first. We take the time to listen, explain your options in plain language, and answer every question before you decide.

Access to Clinical Research

We take part in FDA-monitored studies, giving our patients access to emerging treatments and keeping our doctors at the front edge of eye care.

Four Convenient Locations

Offices in Saint Joseph, Niles, and South Haven, Michigan, plus Mishawaka, Indiana — the same standard of care at each one.

Complete Eye Care

From routine exams and glasses to cataract surgery, glaucoma, retina, and oculoplastics — most of what your eyes need, under one roof.

Vision Outreach International

Restoring sight around the world.

Our mission arm follows the example of Jesus Christ with compassion for all people — especially the blind poor in under-served regions of the world. Our surgeons have provided and taught cataract surgery in more than 25 countries across five continents.

The global reach of our outreach work

We look forward to serving you.

Whether it's your first visit or your fortieth year with us, we're glad you're here.